USB: installing a undeleatable file

Cooper1300

I want to upload a single data file onto 150 USB FLash drives but in a way that the file cannot be removed or deleted

mad turnip

right click the file, properties, in attributes set to "read-only", although this can be reversed if there not stupid.

paulmclaughlin

Are you one of those guys who gives out free memory sticks as advertising?

kippy

Cooper1300 wrote: »

I want to upload a single data file onto 150 USB FLash drives but in a way that the file cannot be removed or deleted

Damn near impossible once you are talking about a "standard" USB key.

Formatting the key will wipe everything.............

Cooper1300

Hi Paul... We supply Printed or engraved USB Flashdrives with a logo on them to the Business Gift trade. Are you looking for some? Regards, Paul C.

Cooper1300

Many thanks... usually we get them done at the factory that supplies us in Asia, but we do not have them time to wait 3 weeks. We stock unprinted USBs in Europe but can only get a file uploaded which can be deleted by the user. A client wants is uploaded so the information cannot be removed.

Khannie

Cooper1300 wrote: »

A client wants is uploaded so the information cannot be removed.

Really not technically feasible if you want to be able to use it as as normal USB drive too.

FSL

Khannie wrote: »

Really not technically feasible if you want to be able to use it as as normal USB drive too.

How could that be achieved? I didn't think there was a way to make a usb read only.

yoyo

FSL wrote: »

How could that be achieved? I didn't think there was a way to make a usb read only.

It would be possible to make Flash chips read only, probably requires some soldering. Wouldn't know much about that kind of stuff. Some flash keys have write protect switches, but this still wouldn't help op if the client must not be able to overwrite the data, as they could just flick the switch and format

Nick

Khannie

FSL wrote: »

How could that be achieved? I didn't think there was a way to make a usb read only.

If you're a manufacturer you could make it read only, no problem. You could (for example) just use a type of memory that can only be written to once.

Thinking about it I suppose it might be technically possible to order one with two partitions - one that was read only with your file on it and another that was useful as a proper USB stick.

FSL

Using a pre-loaded ROM chip on a run of 150 is likely to be prohibitively expensive.

kippy

Khannie wrote: »

If you're a manufacturer you could make it read only, no problem. You could (for example) just use a type of memory that can only be written to once.

Thinking about it I suppose it might be technically possible to order one with two partitions - one that was read only with your file on it and another that was useful as a proper USB stick.

It is possible to do that alright, but I cant see how it would be financially feasible for anyone involved.

Khannie

Probably alright....customisations like that do seem to be very cheap these days though.

Regardless, I don't think it's possible to do the way the OP wants (i.e. that s/he has the ability to write the file once themselves and have it read-only).

kippy

Khannie wrote: »

Probably alright....customisations like that do seem to be very cheap these days though.

Regardless, I don't think it's possible to do the way the OP wants (i.e. that s/he has the ability to write the file once themselves and have it read-only).

Agreed.

Cooper1300

Thanks everyone for the comments.... usually we can get a undeleatable file uploaded in our factory in Asia at about 14c/USB.... but lead time is about 3 weeks to Ireland. I have located a guy I used to deal with years ago in a Dublin tech shop and says he can do it but cost is over €1 per USB.. a bit more expensive!

kippy

Cooper1300 wrote: »

Thanks everyone for the comments.... usually we can get a undeleatable file uploaded in our factory in Asia at about 14c/USB.... but lead time is about 3 weeks to Ireland. I have located a guy I used to deal with years ago in a Dublin tech shop and says he can do it but cost is over €1 per USB.. a bit more expensive!

I'd be skeptical as to how "undeletable" either option are tbh.

ressem

A supplier can create a U3 image for a non-standard drive key that makes itself look to windows like a CD drive + windows drive. Even getting the formatting option needs a bit of techie partition manipulation.